Last GOP Debate

The four Republican candidates for governor met for their final debate of the primary race. Unions were the subject of several questions in Thursday’s debate on WTTW-TV. Bruce Rauner implied that the government unions endorsing State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) now have Dillard in their back pocket.

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“When government union power can influence politicians in the contract negotiations for pensions, for pay scales, for health care, it’s a direct financial incentive—in effect, it’s a bribe,” Rauner said.

Dillard said his record as a legislator proves Rauner wrong.

“I’m somebody that will negotiate only with the kinds of moneys that the state has, and I can certainly tell unions know,” Dillard said.

Dillard said it’s Rauner, not him, that has been involved in so-called pay-to-play activities.

Dillard has consistently placed second in recent polls since gaining endorsements from groups like the Illinois Education Association, but still trails Rauner by double digits heading into Tuesday’s primary.